Augusta Waterworks Dam dam
Augusta Waterworks Dam
The Augusta Waterworks Dam, located in Augusta, Kansas, serves as a vital structure for the local community. Built in 1940, this earth dam stands at a height of 39 feet and has a hydraulic height of 36 feet. Its primary purpose is for recreation, offering a peaceful retreat for water resource and climate enthusiasts to enjoy. The dam spans 1200 feet in length and creates a reservoir with a storage capacity of 3432 acre-feet, providing valuable water resources for the area.
Managed by the local government, the Augusta Waterworks Dam is regulated by the Kansas Department of Agriculture to ensure its safety and compliance with state guidelines. With a hazard potential classified as high, the dam is regularly inspected every three years to assess its condition. Despite being rated as in fair condition, the risk assessment for the dam is moderate, highlighting the importance of ongoing monitoring and risk management measures.
Surrounded by the scenic Elm Creek and offering a surface area of 181 acres for recreational activities, the Augusta Waterworks Dam is a significant landmark in Butler County, Kansas. As water levels are controlled through an uncontrolled spillway with a width of 230 feet, visitors can appreciate the engineering marvel of this structure while enjoying the natural beauty of the surrounding area. Whether for leisure or ecological appreciation, the Augusta Waterworks Dam continues to be a focal point for water resource and climate enthusiasts in the region.
Dam data reference
Condition Assessment
- Satisfactory
- No existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. Acceptable performance is expected under all loading conditions (static, hydrologic, seismic) in accordance with the minimum applicable state or federal regulatory criteria or tolerable risk guidelines.
- Fair
- No existing dam safety deficiencies are recognized for normal operating conditions. Rare or extreme hydrologic and/or seismic events may result in a dam safety deficiency. Risk may be in the range to take further action.
- Poor
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized for normal operating conditions which may realistically occur. Remedial action is necessary. POOR may also be used when uncertainties exist as to critical analysis parameters which identify a potential dam safety deficiency.
- Unsatisfactory
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized that requires immediate or emergency remedial action for problem resolution.
- Not Rated
- The dam has not been inspected, is not under state or federal jurisdiction, or has been inspected but, for whatever reason, has not been rated.
Hazard Potential Classification
- High
- Dams assigned the high hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation will probably cause loss of human life.
- Significant
- Dams assigned the significant hazard potential classification are those dams where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, disruption of lifeline facilities, or impact other concerns. Significant hazard potential classification dams are often located in predominantly rural or agricultural areas but could be in areas with population and significant infrastructure.
- Low
- Dams assigned the low hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life and low economic and/or environmental losses. Losses are principally limited to the owner's property.
- Undetermined
- Dams for which a downstream hazard potential has not been designated or is not provided.
Plan around the weather
Same NOAA / yr.no feed Snoflo's iOS app uses. Watch the precipitation column on the meteogram -- rain on the basin upstream typically lifts inflow 24-72 hours later.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks.
Nearby streamflow gauges
USGS streamgauges around Augusta Waterworks Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Whitewater R At Towanda | 759 cfs | → |
| Arkansas R At Derby | 4,210 cfs | → |
| Arkansas R At Wichita | 3,680 cfs | → |
| Floodway At Arkansas R At Wichita | · | → |
| Arkansas R Nr Maize | 1,150 cfs | → |
| L Arkansas R At Valley Center | 1,530 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Augusta Waterworks Dam.
Boat launches
- East 29th Street North Wichita
- Chelsea
- Wichita
- East 45th Street North 1221, Park City
- West 55th Street South 1378, Wichita
- Old 82nd Road Winfield
Campgrounds
Track Augusta Waterworks Dam in the Snoflo app
Save this dam as a favorite and get the local NOAA / yr.no forecast plus regional flow context wherever you are.
About Augusta Waterworks Dam
Where does the data for Augusta Waterworks Dam come from?
Structural and regulatory data come from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' National Inventory of Dams (NID). Weather forecast comes from NOAA / yr.no -- the same feed Snoflo's iOS app uses.
How often is the report updated?
NID structural data refreshes annually as the Corps publishes updated assessments. The weather forecast refreshes throughout the day.
What does the High hazard rating mean?
The Corps of Engineers' hazard potential classification grades probable consequences if the dam fails: High = probable loss of human life; Significant = no probable loss of human life but possible economic loss / environmental damage; Low = no probable loss of human life, only minor economic / environmental losses. See the Dam Data Reference card above for the full definitions.
What's "% of normal"?
The current storage value compared to the historical average storage on this calendar day. 100% = right on average; values above 100% mean above-normal storage (wet year); values below mean below-normal (dry year or drought).
Can I get alerts when storage crosses a threshold?
Yes -- alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this dam, set a threshold, and you'll get a push the moment conditions cross.
Other water bodies near here
Snoflo-tracked reservoirs and dams within driving distance of Augusta Waterworks Dam.